Training of pastors

The programme of training pastors in Zimbabwe began in 2008 when Preachers Workshops were held for the first time in Harare and were held annually until 2012. After the initial workshops in Harare, in 2010 Hwange was included as a second venue. These workshops were held over a period of 2 – 4 days when groups of men who were either Pastors or younger men training to be pastors gathered together to be given help in understanding the principles of Biblical interpretation and exposition. In addition to the more formal teaching sessions the men were given opportunity to work in small groups preparing sermon outlines on a set passage – this proved very encouraging to see them interacting with one another and helping each other get to grips with the Word of God.
	However, a major concern has been to see some of the Zimbabwean Pastors trained up in their understanding of the Scriptures so that they are then able to lead Preachers Workshops themselves. To this end we added a Training of Trainers course into the programme in 2011 when six men were gathered together to receive more in depth training which would equip them to be involved in training other pastors. Since 2013 we have concentrated on these Training of Trainers workshops which are held in Harare over a period of five days and are attended by a group of 10-12 men. Whilst these men come from a variety of church backgrounds it has been really encouraging to see the way they have benefitted from these teaching sessions and have grown in their knowledge of the scriptures, their understanding of the principles of Biblical interpretation and exposition and of the Reformed faith.
As a result of this training programme there is now a group of men involved in running Preachers Workshops in a number of areas throughout the country. These include Chimanimani in the east, Mt Darwin in the north, Hwange in the west and Harare in the centre of the country. However, the number of venues is growing with Bulawayo and Victoria Falls being added to the list and plans are being made for workshops in other important centres.
The running of these indigenous workshops is funded through the work of the Trust, as will be the ongoing programme of Training of Trainers. In 2012 and 2013 two teams were sent out each year to run Training of Trainer programmes and in 2014 three such teams have gone out to lead training sessions. However, since two of the trainers – Derek French and Maciek Stolarski – will no longer be supported through Grace Baptist Mission, the responsibility of funding the Training of Trainers workshops will now be undertaken by the Zimbabwe Partnership Trust and we anticipate being able to send one team annually to continue this important work of training and equipping pastors for their ministry in Zimbabwe.

Contact
Roger Prime